India’s government is ready to collaborate with Donald Trump’s administration to address the issue of illegal Indian migrants in the United States. This marks an attempt by New Delhi to maintain good relations with the incoming American president and steer clear of potential trade conflicts.
So far, the two countries have pinpointed around 18,000 illegal Indian migrants to be repatriated, though the actual number may be higher. The true scope of undocumented Indian residents in the U.S. remains uncertain, as many discussions around this topic are kept private.
As part of its strategy, India aims to gain favor with Trump by demonstrating a willingness to tackle illegal immigration. This has been a crucial promise for Trump since his campaign. On his first day in office, he acted swiftly to establish tougher immigration policies, including an effort to end birthright citizenship.
In exchange for its cooperation, India hopes to ensure the safety and stability of legal immigration channels for its citizens. Many Indians rely on student visas and the H-1B visa program, which allows skilled professionals to work in the U.S. In fact, Indians received nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023.
Additionally, failing to manage the return of undocumented migrants could negatively impact India’s agreements with other countries regarding labor mobility. With high unemployment rates, India has entered into migration agreements with nations like Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Japan to offer more job opportunities.
According to Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, both nations are engaged in a process aimed at minimizing illegal migration while promoting more legal pathways for Indians seeking to live and work in the U.S. Recently, a chartered flight carried out repatriations of Indian nationals, showcasing this cooperative effort.
Interestingly, India accounts for a small portion of illegal migrants in the U.S., representing about 3% of all unauthorized crossings. Most undocumented migrants come from Latin American countries. Over the years, the number of illegal Indian migrants has seen a gradual increase, particularly at the less-traveled northern U.S. border, where they now comprise roughly 25% of unauthorized crossings.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact number of undocumented Indian immigrants, but a 2022 report from the Department of Homeland Security estimated there were around 220,000 unauthorized Indian residents in the U.S. last year.
India has already shown a commitment to assist with U.S. border enforcement. In October, the Department of Homeland Security reported a repatriation flight carrying over 100 Indian nationals lacked legal status in the U.S. This was part of a larger trend, with over 1,100 Indian citizens deported in the last year alone.
Tackling the issue of illegal migration can also help India address concerns related to secessionist movements abroad, such as the Khalistan movement that seeks to establish a separate Sikh state. The Indian government believes that some supporters of this movement might be living illegally in other countries like the U.S. and Canada.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi generally enjoys a positive relationship with Trump, he remains wary of unpredictability from the U.S. president, knowing that tensions could lead to trade wars. Trump has often criticized India’s high import taxes, claiming they harm American interests, and has hinted at implementing equivalent tariffs in retaliation.
On his first day as president, Trump also indicated plans to impose high tariffs on neighboring countries, citing issues related to migration and security. His comments suggest a focus on curbing illegal entries from countries like Canada and Mexico.
The reasons for the rising number of Indian undocumented migrants crossing through the northern U.S. border could include changes in visa policies and the relative ease of travel from India to Canada. As globalization continues, understanding these trends will be important for future immigration policies.
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illegal Indian migrants, Trump administration, H-1B visas, illegal migration, India-US cooperation
